Find Out More About RISAS

RISAS is the Railway Industry Supplier Approval Scheme. It ensures key suppliers can become recognised as best-in-class at delivering the most challenging and high-risk products and services.

What is RISAS?

RISAS is the Railway Industry Supplier Approval Scheme. It ensures key suppliers can become recognised as best-in-class at delivering the most challenging and high-risk products and services.

A RISAS certificate is evidence that an independent, robust, rigorous and transparent assessment of the supplier has taken place, by experts.

It ensures that suppliers of critical products have the appropriate systems, processes, competence, resources, facilities and procedures.

How does it work?

Companies undergo a challenging assessment by a Railway Industry Supplier Approval Body (RISAB). The assessment involves on-site interviews and evaluations to get proof that the company can meet the standards expected.

On passing the assessment, the company is awarded a RISAS certificate covering the relevant products and services. These details are added to the RISAS website which holds a searchable database of companies who hold RISAS certificates and details the products and services they cover.

RSSB manages the scheme on behalf of the rail industry providing its profile and governance. RSSB also accredits the RISABs.

Benefits

Authoritative, official rail industry-owned scheme

A means of meeting legal requirements and the Rail Industry Standard on supplier assurance

Trusted, independent, third party assessments of suppliers

Eliminates or reduces the need for each company to audit and assess separately

Improves efficiency, safety and sustainability

Reduces costs

A better, safer railway for passengers and freight customers

Current scope

RISAS currently covers suppliers of critical products and services for the overhaul of rolling stock assets and components—the rail vehicle after-market sector.

Developing the scheme

Work is now underway to transform RISAS with a more comprehensive scope and provide better value-for-money.

The philosophy underpinning the scheme—that is, to provide cost-effective assurance to the supply chain of critical products and services—is sound and well-supported. However, a review has revealed an opportunity to substantially improve the way the scheme operates.

Future improvements include:

Expanding the scope to all relevant safety critical products and services in infrastructure and rolling stock—as originally envisaged when the scheme was introduced

Providing a more financially sustainable footing by generating more revenue which can be invested back into the scheme

Working with industry on next steps

We are engaging with experts from buyers, suppliers, approval bodies and other stakeholders to transform the scheme collaboratively.

This includes three working groups on scope, risk ranking, and technical expertise.

In the meantime…

RISAS still operates with the after-market rolling stock scope as before, and companies can continue to apply for new or renewed certification via approval bodies. Buyers will still require RISAS (or equivalent proof) of supplier assurance when procuring relevant critical products and services in this field.